| As impressive as some our modern inventions may | | | | On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger |
| seem, there is always a chance for our designs to | | | | disintegrated off the coast of Florida causing the |
| fail. To err is human, as the old adage states. Major | | | | deaths of its seven crew members. It is believed |
| endeavors, such as the design and construction of a | | | | that an O-ring seal on the right solid rocket booster |
| new building, rely on the collective knowledge of | | | | failed, causing a breach in the joint and allowing hot, |
| hundreds of individuals. Having said that, the success | | | | pressurized gas from within the rocket motor to |
| of any project will depend greatly on the weakest | | | | escape. This led to the structural failure of the |
| link in the chain of knowledge. This is precisely the | | | | external tank and precipitated, with the assistance of |
| reason mechanical engineering jobs are in such high | | | | aerodynamic forces, the complete breakup of the |
| demand. The following is a collection of the three | | | | vehicle. The failure of the O-rings was attributed to a |
| worst engineering failures in the modern era. | | | | faulty design by the Rogers Commission. |
| Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster | | | | |